Glossary

ACPI (Advanced Configuration and Power Interface): a power management specification that allows the operating system to control the amount of power distributed to the computer’s devices. Devices not in use can be turned off, reducing unnecessary power expenditure.

AGP (Accelerated Graphics Port): a PCI-based interface which was designed specifically for demands of 3D graphics applications. The 32-bit AGP channel directly links the graphics controller to the main memory. While the channel runs only at 66 MHz, it supports data transmission during both the rising and falling ends of the clock cycle, yielding an effective speed of 133 MHz.

ATAPI (AT Attachment Packet Interface): also known as IDE or ATA; a drive implementation that includes the disk controller on the device itself. It allows CD-ROMs and tape drives to be configured as master or slave devices, just like HDDs.

ATX: the form factor designed to replace the AT form factor. It improves on the AT design by rotating the board 90 degrees, so that the IDE connectors are closer to the drive bays, and the CPU is closer to the power supply and cooling fan. The keyboard, mouse, USB, serial, and parallel ports are built-in.

Bandwidth: refers to carrying capacity. The greater the bandwidth, the more data the bus, phone line, or other electrical path can carry. Greater bandwidth results in greater speed.

BBS (BIOS Boot Specification): a feature within the BIOS that creates, prioritizes, and maintains a list of all Initial Program Load (IPL) devices, and then stores that list in NVRAM. IPL devices have the ability to load and execute an OS, as well as provide the ability to return to the BIOS if the OS load process fails. At that point, the next IPL device is called upon to attempt loading of the OS.

BIOS (Basic Input/Output System): the program that resides in the ROM chip, which provides the basic instructions for controlling your computer’s hardware. Both the operating system and application software use BIOS routines to ensure compatibility.

Buffer: a portion of RAM which is used to temporarily store data; usually from an application though it is also used when printing and in most keyboard drivers. The CPU can manipulate data in a buffer before copying it to a disk drive. While this improves system performance (reading to or writing from a disk drive a single time is much faster than doing so repeatedly) there is the possibility of

losing your data should the system crash. Information in a buffer is temporarily stored, not permanently saved.

N3600QX specifications

The Tyan Computer N3600QX is a robust server motherboard designed to meet the demands of enterprise-level applications and data centers. Built around the AMD EPYC platform, it offers unique capabilities that cater to high-performance computing.

One of the standout features of the N3600QX is its support for multiple AMD EPYC processors, which can significantly enhance concurrent processing and parallel computing tasks. With up to 64 cores per processor, businesses can run complex workloads seamlessly, making it ideal for virtualization, cloud computing, and big data applications.

A notable characteristic of the N3600QX is its generous memory bandwidth. The motherboard supports 8 DIMM slots, allowing for a maximum memory capacity of up to 2TB of DDR4 RAM. This ensures that large datasets can be processed quickly, improving the efficiency of data-intensive operations. Additionally, the memory configurations are optimized for speed, providing a competitive edge to enterprises handling real-time data.

The motherboard features multiple PCIe expansion slots, facilitating a variety of configurations for high-performance storage options and network interfaces. With extensive support for NVMe SSDs, users can deploy ultra-fast storage solutions that significantly reduce latency and boost application performance.

On the connectivity front, the N3600QX is equipped with multiple 10GbE LAN ports, which offer high-speed data transfer capabilities essential for network-intensive tasks. This combination of high bandwidth and low latency ensures that businesses can maintain a competitive edge in their networking infrastructure.

In terms of reliability and stability, the N3600QX includes advanced features such as IPMI support for remote management, ensuring that system administrators can monitor and control servers without physical access. Additionally, the motherboard is designed to deliver enhanced thermal management, ensuring optimal performance even under heavy loads.

Security is also a paramount focus, with features such as secure boot and hardware-based security measures, safeguarding sensitive data from unauthorized access.

Overall, the Tyan Computer N3600QX is a powerful and versatile motherboard that stands out in the server market. With its robust feature set, advanced technologies, and reliable performance, it is an excellent choice for enterprises seeking a future-proof solution for their computing needs.